1948 Bowman

Bowman, in an obvious busy year for card production, came up with this pioneering issue, resulting in thankfully some of the only known cards for many of the game's early legends. The undisputed king of this issue (and likely of all basketball) is the original big man George Mikan from the tough high number series. Other big-time cards from this issue include Red Holzman, Joe Fulks, Jim Pollard, and the last card #72 (Carl Braun).